Liaison Officer

1A101A10

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting
The Liaison Office with the United Nations in Geneva (LOG) is responsible for the liaison with the Government of Switzerland, the country's civil society and the international organizations based in Geneva, Switzerland. Considering the presence of a large number of international organizations, Member Nations and Non-Governmental Organizations, which provides a significant platform for engagement and partnership with key stakeholders, the Liaison Office
i) promotes FAO's contribution to the 2030 Agenda through its 2022-31 Strategic Framework;
ii) monitors and informs Geneva-based deliberations to strategically position the Organization in line with its mandate;
iii) champions key thematic issues of importance to FAO, its Members and partners, leveraging key field work of the Organization.

The position is located in the Liaison Office with the United Nations in Geneva (LOG), in Geneva, Switzerland

Reporting Lines
The Liaison Officer reports to the Director of LOG, Geneva, Switzerland.

Technical Focus
Advocacy of FAO strategic programmes, technical divisions and fieldwork. Partnership with Geneva based actors.

Key Results
Provide strategic policy and political and analytical support to the Director LOG. The establishment and maintenance of relations with Members and external development partners operating in the country of assignment and monitor developments affecting nutrition, food and agriculture. Represent the Organization at meetings which address matters that fall within the mandate of FAO.

Key Functions
• Builds network of collaboration with governmental and organizational counterparts to facilitate programme coordination and promotion;
• Monitors and identifies critical programme issues where FAO inputs/involvement is needed, organizes information flows from external collaborators to programme units;
• Identifies opportunities for FAO to project organizational capacities and priorities into agendas and activities at the UN Common System level and with counterparts;
• Assesses FAO participation in interagency forums, identifies areas to improve effectiveness of FAO communication strategies and approaches;
• Builds awareness within FAO of the perspectives and priorities of collaborators, assists FAO programme units with networking with external counterparts;
• Promotes FAO positions and capacities in collaborative activities with external counterparts;
• Represents FAO in receiving visitors and facilitates replies to institutional and public inquiries on subjects falling within the competence of FAO;
• Facilitates mobilization of resources in support of agriculture and food security;
• Carries out programming, budgetary and administrative work in support of the Office activities;
• Performs other duties as required.

Specific Functions

• Supports the Liaison Office efforts to promote FAO's contribution to the 2030 Agenda through its 2022-31 Strategic Framework; facilitates the Office's liaison work with different selected audiences such as Permanent Representations of Members, UN partners and the Swiss public, in order to promote key work, initiatives and results of the Organization towards Agenda 2030. Prepares for and reports on bilateral meetings.
• Actively supports the external communication work of the Liaison Office and contributes to its communication products, increasing visibility of FAO spokespersons and experts.
• Strengthens or builds partnerships with Geneva based actors, putting forward FAO's added value and contributions to partner agenda and priorities.
• Monitors and informs Geneva-based deliberations to strategically position the Organization in line with its mandate.
• In close cooperation with concerned technical Divisions and Offices, supports the preparation of, and participates in, technical meetings, conferences, events, seminars and sessions ensuring that FAO priorities and messages are appropriately conveyed and reports accordingly.
• Champions key thematic issues of importance to FAO, its Members and partners, leveraging key fieldwork of the Organization.
• Takes a proactive role in the organization of thematic dialogues series, facilitating convergence of ideas, means and actions among partners.
• Performs other duties as required.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in Social or Political Sciences, Economics, Public Administration, International Relations or a related field relevant to the work of the Organization
• Seven years of relevant experience in development work and /or designing and managing projects, interacting with social partners and with governments, international organisations, research institutions, civil society and the private sector
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of one of the other languages of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish).

Competencies
• Results Focus
• Team Work
• Communication
• Building effective relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable
• Depth of knowledge of FAO's programmes and priorities is considered a strong asset
• Extent and relevance of experience in policy development, policy coordination and project planning